Sprachcaffe Miami-English-2013 PDF

MIAMI
WELCOME TO SPRACHCAFFE You are obviously totally committed not just to having a holiday, but at the same time, also learning a new language or improving your skills in a language you already know. This is why we would like to send you our warmest congratulations! It is great when people want to make the world a bit smaller for themselves. It pleases us even more that you have chosen Sprachcaffe. Lively teaching methods, a relaxed and stress-free atmosphere, learning through interaction and chatting (which helps you bond with others) - we have become experts for 30 years, with 32 destinations worldwide. In the enclosed documents you will find everything you need to know for your trip. Please do not travel without this information sheet. We wish you a great holiday and lots of success Your Sprachcaffe Team
Contents
FLIGHT TO MIAMI IF YOU HAVE BOOKED A TRANSFER ACCOMMODATION HOST FAMILY APARTMENT / RESIDENCE THE SCHOOL - SPRACHCAFFE LANGUAGES PLUS LESSONS GENERAL INFORMATION FEEDBACK SCHOOL LOCATION CHECKLIST BEFORE DEPARTURE CHECKLIST FOR RETURNING HOME 1 1 3 3 3 5 5 7 10 11 12 12
Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College
Flight to Miami
You have probably booked a flight to Miami. Please note that the data printed on the ticket is always given in local time. Also take care of the weight limit for your free luggage, which is mostly two pieces (20 kg) on scheduled flights. It is very important that you realise that you are not allowed to take any groceries with you neither in your suitcase nor in your hand-luggage. We strongly recommend being at the counter of your airline in the departure terminal in time, which means about 90 minutes before departure. May we draw your attention to the fact that all flights to the United States are non-smoking flights. As our language school is not officially a university you dont have to mark student on your visa application form. We therefore recommend you enter the country as a tourist. Only Intensive Course students should apply for an I-20 Visa. Please contact us in case you need our help. Dont forget to confirm your return flight with the airline in Miami 72 hours before departure. American Airlines: Continental Airlines: Delta Airlines: United Airlines: US Airways: 800-433-7300 800-525-0280 800-241-4141 800-241-6522 800-872-8402
If you have booked a transfer

For pick up at the airport Fenix Transportation will follow these procedures: The driver will be at the airport when the flight arrives on the scheduled pick up time. The driver will wait at one of the following designated points. For international flights the driver will stand outside customs, with a sign showing a LOGO and the passengers name. For domestic flights including Canada, the driver will wait next to the baggage claim area, with a sign showing a LOGO and the passengers name.
General information Fenix Transportation will track flights in order to confirm arrival times. Fenix transportation will communicate with the school the moment contact has been made with the passenger. Once the passenger is dropped off at the designated location, he/she shall sign for the trip. The student is responsible to report to Fenix Transportation any significant delay, change or cancellation in advance; 2 hours for domestic flights or 4 hours for international flights Telephone number to communicate with Fenix Transportation are Andres: 001 (0) 786 343 5030 Enrique: 001 (0) 786 231 7767
If for any reason the passenger and driver do not meet, the student MUST call the numbers listed above. Students are NOT TO LEAVE the airport and are to wait at the designated points listed above. The driver will make every possible attempt to find the passenger. If the passenger is not found, the driver will immediately call the school. If any discrepancies shall occur Fenix Transportation will provide written evidence that the driver was there on time.
Important: Please understand that Sprachcaffe can not guarantee a completely problem-free check-in at our school in Miami if we are not correctly informed about your arrival time, delay or change of flight timetable.
The Four Ambassadors Complex, Tower 3, 825 Brickell Bay Drive, Suite 1850, Miami, FL 33131 Tel: 001 (305) 379 4027
Organising your own transfer: If you did NOT arrange for airport reception and instead you decided to get to your final destination by your own means you can catch one of the private shuttles to get to your accommodation. Once you collect your luggage exit the doors to the sidewalk and look for the representative in a bright yellow shirt at a van service desk. Tell that person where you want to go and they will call a van in for your transfer. The rate will be $16.00 What Will Happen On Arrival In The US? On the plane, you will be given a form I-94 to complete and show to Immigration. Once in the terminal, you will present your passport and visa documents to the Immigration Official. (F1 visa and Passport) You will go to baggage claim where you will collect your luggage. You will be required to show your luggage to the Customs Official. In case of emergency please contact: Wioletta: 786 326 1786 or Kamil: 786 218 7218
Accommodation
It is our aim to provide the best service possible. However, if you have any issue during you stay please talk directly to the school staff. Your first address on arrival is stated on your voucher. In general, this is the address of your accommodation.
Host family
Living together with an American host family means living the American Way of Life! You will be able to practise what you have learned during the course and you will shed your fear while communicating with the family. The host family will certainly appreciate a little present, but by this we mean a little present. The American host families are very open-minded, helpful and welcoming to their guests. Given the reality of Miami, all host families will speak English and Spanish In general, the families will introduce you to their habits on the day of your arrival, such as, for example, the handing over of the key, times for meals and use of the washing machine. Normally, you share the bathroom with other members of the family. Please make sure that you always leave your room and bathroom clean and tidy and that you do not damage the furniture. Please take the family into consideration and avoid unnecessary noise, especially late in the evening and at night. We appreciate your understanding when asking you not to use the family telephone to call your family at home. Please inform your host family beforehand if you will not be home for a meal, if you plan to go on a trip for a few days or if you are not staying at home overnight. Otherwise, your family will be worried unnecessarily! In general, families do not mind when you invite new friends over from the course. However, you should talk to them first about bringing home some friends! Please also note that most of our American families do not allow the students to smoke in their rooms or anywhere else in the house. When staying with a host family, bed sheets and towels will be provided,
Apartment / Residence
If you have booked accommodation in an apartment or residence you will be staying in one of our apartments in the Four Ambassador Complex, which is a complex consisting of 4 buildings or in the Brickell Residence. Four Ambassadors Please pick up your key at the reception of the "Four Ambassadors", which is op en until 23:00. If you arrive after that time please get your key at the "Valet Parking". Towels and bed linen are provided; there is basic cleaning twice a week. Hair dryer and cosmetics are not provided. The apartments offer: Accommodation in 2-bedroom Apartments. 2 bathrooms, full kitchen (microwave, oven, sink), living and dining area, TV, phone and ample storage space. Twice a week maid service which includes general cleaning and vacuuming is provided. Bed sheets and towels are changed once a week. Laundry facility on side 24 hour security. On site amenities include: Beauty Salon, Coffee Sop, Dry Cleaning Services, Fitness Facility, 2 Heated Pools, Jacuzzi, Lounge, Restaurant and a Bakery.
Brickell Residence BRICKELL RESIDENCE 298 SW 15th Road Miami, FL 33129 (305) 856-3700 Check- in starts at 15:00 To check-in you must report to the reception and show your passport and provide a $100 security Deposit. Check-out is at 12 [noon]. For late check-out, student will be charged $100 no exception Located 10 min walk for the school Across the street from a drugstore and a grocery Store. Located walking distance to metro mover and restaurants Free shuttle to school in the morning High-speed Wireless Internet Access available for a one time fee of $4.99 for the entire stay Remote television with premium cable channels Bi-Weekly housekeeping On site laundry facilities 24 hrs security
PLEASE NOTE: You have to pay a key deposit of 100 USD when you check in.
The school - Sprachcaffe Languages Plus

Today is your first official day at Open Hearts International College; and you are to be at the school for 09.00. You will meet our Academic Director and School Manager. The School Manager will guide through your first day of enrollment. Your first official day can be in a way overwhelming, you must present a placement test that can take up to an hour to an hour and half. Based on the results of your placement you will be assigned to the appropriate level. The School Manager will take you through the school and introduce you to your new teacher. The Director of Admissions will confirm that you have all the documents to comply with your visa regulations, that same day you will sit with the Business Manager that will arrange for tuition payments and to confirm all contact information. The address of the school is: Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College The Four Ambassadors Complex, Tower 3 825 Brickell Bay Drive, Suite 1850 Miami, FL 33131 Tel: 001 (305) 379 4027
You need to purchase the text books in advance or at the school directly: Semi Intensive US$50 Intensive US$100 Student card: A picture student card is issued on arrival. Students need to present this card to be able to use the facilities in the complex. Bistro, Snacks and Drinks: A restaurant, coffee shop and bakery are located on the school campus. Internet room: Our computer lab is equipped with 15 stations and high speed internet which can be accessed for free. Study Room: A study room where students can work on/revise their homework is available.
Lessons
Please note that you need to pay extra for your class material (about 50USD). Also note that many of the school activities are free of charge, e.x. Classes, Sunday at Nikki Beach, South Beach Tour, Bayside, Downtown Tour, etc The first day of class can be intimidating. But, by bringing in some cultural items, others students will have the opportunity to see where you come from. Bring in a map so they can see where your country is located. Provide some background about your experiences as a student and general description of your country including size, population, climate, and major industries. Throughout your whole stay, we will offer you the highest quality of teaching. Our staff and teachers have a lot experience with long-term students and especially with examination preparation courses. However, please also take into consideration that the teachers, despite their years of experience, cannot be held fully responsible for the examination results. Only if you participate actively in the lessons, will you be best prepared for the examination. International English program Levels offered The objective of our international ESL program is to improve the student's overall English proficiency. Our integrated ESL program is offered in 7 different levels with each of these levels being divided in six two-week units. This will allow our students to not only move at their own pace but to be continuously challenged by new material. The maximum number of students in one class is 15! 20 ESL hrs/week
Schedule Monday to Friday: Intensive Course Monday to Friday: 09:00am to 12:40pm and from 01:10pm to 03:00pm 09:00am to 12:40pm (Break from 10:40am to 11:00am)
Lessons are not held on these public holidays in 2013: 01.01., 11.01., 21.01., 18.02., 29.03., 01.04., 05.04., 09.10.05., 27.05., 28.06., .04.07., 23.08., 02.09., 14.10., 11.11., 15.11., 28.11.-29.11., 23.12.-27.12. Please note that lessons lost on public holidays, late arrival or early departure will not be replaced. Conversation club In addition to your classes, you are welcome to participate in our conversation club, which runs Tuesday and Thursday from 12:45pm to 13:45pm ATTENDANCE AND LATE POLICY Open Hearts Language Academys program move at a quick pace, so it is very important that you do not miss class. At OHLA class attendance is mandatory. Students are not allowed to miss more than 10% of classes per session. More than 10% absences will automatically result in the failure of the level and student will be put on official probation. Depending on their program, student will accumulate more than 10% of classes per session if: for semi-intensive students; accumulate more than 2 days or 4 blocks per month for intensive; accumulate more than 2 days or 8 blocks per month Students accumulating more than 10% absences in any two months will face dismissal from the program. Warning Bell and Class time Block 1 Warning bell Class Time 08:55 09:00 Block 2 10:55 11:00 Block 3 12:55 1:00 pm Block 4 2:05 pm 2:10 pm
Late Policy Students arriving after the scheduled start of class will not be allowed to enter the class prior to the start of the next block and will be marked absent for that block. Absences This is how absences are calculated; you will be counted absent from a block if you are not in class for any reason or if you are late for class. However, absences might be excused if you can provide official documents supporting that you were away for a medical, dental, police, court or immigration appointment. If you do not come to class at all you will be considered absent. We wish you a successful language course! It is our aim to provide the best service possible. However, if you have any issue during you stay please talk directly to the school staff.
General information
What to bring to the US Remember that everyday items people use can be fascinating because they reveal the values and character of a culture. You can bring these items with you or have someone ship them to you once you arrive. Below is a list with some general ideas about items to bring to the US: Magazines, newspapers and printed material Bring a few newspapers with various articles on social issues, culture, arts, sports, and other general issues. Try to bring magazines that would appeal to your classmates Photographs Family photos are essential. Photos taken at special occasions or celebrations including birthdays, weddings, graduation, and holidays are also interesting. You may want to make copies or reprints of your special or irreplaceable photos. Posters, brochures, tourist information Your countrys ministry of tourism, travel agencies and airlines may be able to provide you with colorful posters, videos or brochures. Make sure to bring a large pictorial map of your country. Cultural Artifacts Bring items that represent your heritage. Bring flags, traditional clothing or jewelry, colorful postage stamps, coins and currency, a theater program, a report card, anything your classmates would enjoy seeing. Recipes Choose uncomplicated recipes with simple ingredients. A copy of a menu from your favorite restaurant would be a great example to share with your students. Time The time difference is: MET - 6 hours. Money Please let your bank inform you about the current exchange rate. We recommend paying by credit card (such as Visa Card, American Express or Eurocard) or using Travellers Cheques rather than changing large amounts of money in the United States. Climate Month January February March April May June July August September October November December
High Avg. 24C 26C 27C 29C 31C 32C 33C 33C 32C 29C 27C 26C
Low Avg. 16C 16C 18C 20C 22C 24C 25C 24C 24C 22C 20C 17C
Precipitation 47.8 mm 52.6 mm 65.0 mm 85.3 mm 140.2 mm 216.9 mm 147.1 mm 219.2 mm 212.9 mm 157.2 mm 87.1 mm 55.4 mm
(Source: http://beta.weather.com/weather/)
Documents We strongly recommend copying all your important travel documents (such as flight ticket, insurance policies, passport, driving licence, documents for the rental car) before you start your language trip to Miami. If you lose one of these documents, authorities can help you more efficiently on the basis of your copies.
Smoking and Drinking Smoking is frowned upon in the United States! The state of Florida has published several strict laws concerning smoking in public areas. Restaurants and public buildings only offer special zones for smokers. It is strictly forbidden for people under 21 to drink alcoholic drinks in public areas such as bars, restaurants or beaches! Tip 10 to 15 % of the total amount is standard in the United States. Professional Culture and Communication Certain topics are considered inappropriate to American business communication. People can be extremely sensitive to issues such as romantic relationships, sexual preference, alcohol and drug use, and religion. Standards of hygiene vary from country to country. Americans usually find it extremely embarrassing to have body odor or to notice it on someone else particularly in the workplace or at school. Many Americans use deodorant and/or antiperspirant and bathe everyday. Time is of critical importance to Americans. Time sets the limits of what you can accomplish. People value their time and generally try to make the most of it. One of the major goals of American lifestyle is to get many things accomplished in a short amount of time. In the same way, being on time usually means getting to the class five minutes ahead of time. Speaking English It is impossible to completely master a language - even your own. There are always new discoveries to be made about idioms, pronunciation, slang, intonation, and other speaking nuances. Your level of English depends on many things, such as education and previous exposure. Some people may find that while they can read and write very well, their ability to speak and understand conversational English is not as good as they would like it to be. Language skills improve with time and practice. In the meantime: Ask people to speak more slowly Ask the meaning of words you do not know Ask to be corrected when you use a word incorrectly or confuse grammatical structures Use body language, indicating and gesturing to show what you want to say Keep a notebook of new words and phrases Dont use slang terms If you make a mistake which causes your new found friends to break into laughter, dont panic. Laugh with them, be a good sport, and ask them what you said that was incorrect. Remember, every conversation is a learning experience. Transportation Transportation can be a great challenge in the United States. Most American cities and towns, except for major urban centers, do not have extensive transportation systems. Americans are often very dependent on their cars. Make an effort as soon as possible to find the best ways to get around by public transportation. Driving in the US requires that you have an American drivers license. If you plan on driving during your stay, inquire with your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on how to apply for a license in your area. Cellular Phones Cellular phones are commonly used in the US. If you plan on purchasing a cellular phone, make sure you fully understand your calling plan. It is important to know how long you can talk on the phone every month and where you can call. Often, if you spend more time on your phone than allotted or you make international calls, your charges will be extremely expensive.
It is considered rude to talk on your phone in many situations. You should always turn off your phone while in class. Oftentimes, cell phone use in public places, like department stores, restaurants, banks, museums, post offices, etc., is considered unacceptable. Cell phones calls do not necessarily have to be completely private, but try to be considerate to those around you. Community Involvement During your stay in the United States, participate in community activities. As an International Student, you are also considered an informal ambassador of your country, as such you can have a tremendous impact on the way those in your community understand your culture. There are many ways to become active in your community life. Many students organize cultural fairs. These events can include food, native dances, singing and other activities. If you belong to a certain religious group, look into attending local services. Religious organizations often have a calendar of activities and events. Volunteer service to the community is an important part of American life. Take advantage of opportunities to become involved with local non-profit or charitable organizations. You do not need advance approval from Open Hearts for participating in volunteer activities but we would like to hear about them and enjoy seeing pictures even more.
Feedback
Before the everyday routine back at home sets in completely we would be very pleased if you could give us your feedback. As a participant you can tell us about your experiences. Just fill out the online form at http://www.sprachcaffe.com/english/feedback.htm We always welcome ideas, tips and constructive criticism!
Address:
Sprachcaffe Languages PLUS Headquartes Gartenstrasse 6 D 60594 Frankfurt/Main Tel.: 069 (0) 6109 120 Fax: 069 (0) 603 1395 Email: info@sprachcaffe.com www.sprachcaffe.com
We wish you a wonderful stay and a successful language course! Your Sprachcaffe Team
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School
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Checklist before departure

Things you might want to think of when packing your luggage Important travel items Travel guide Reading material Dictionary Cash, credit card Phone number of your credit card company, in case you have to block the card Vaccination card Inform Sprachcaffe about arrival time Alarm clock Sunglasses First-aid kit Sunscreen Any medicine required Insect spray Medicine for stomach trouble Plasters After-sun lotion Tweezers Travel documents Identity card Flight or train ticket Student ID Sprachcaffe travel documents Sport/Hobby Camera Extra film, extra memory card Music / radio Batteries Sports equipment Insurances Travel health insurance Luggage insurance Insurance card from your car insurance Phone number of your car insurance
Checklist for returning home

Buy souvenirs for friends and relatives at home Exchange addresses with people in the course, teachers and host family Pick up course participation certificate Tidy and clean up the room Pack and check the rooms for anything left behind
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MIAMI

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

If you have booked a transfer

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

The school - Sprachcaffe Languages Plus

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Sprachcaffe Languages Plus / Open Hearts International College

Checklist before departure

Checklist for returning home

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